Teeth replacement following gum disease

Repairing damage caused by periodontitis and bone loss in the jaw.

Gum disease is usually first noticed when the gums start to bleed when cleaned, or become red and sore, causing discomfort. When these symptoms appear, it is, of course, important to see a dentist as soon as possible.

In the majority of cases, the problem can be corrected simply by an improvement in the patient’s oral health regime, often with the simple addition of flossing to their regular routine. This only applies however if it is caught in the early stages. Advanced gum disease will likely need more invasive treatment and in serious cases, for example where periodontitis is present, may require a “deep clean” right down to the root of the tooth.

Periodontitis

In very advanced cases of gum disease, where periodontitis has taken hold, it is not uncommon for there to be significant damage not only to the teeth and gums, but to the actual jawbone too. This can lead to the teeth becoming unstable and eventually falling out due to there being insufficient bone to hold them in place.

This can be devastating for the patient (and is yet another good reason to visit the dentist on a regular basis!)

All is not lost though, and, at Arthur House Dental Care in Sutton Coldfield, Birmingham, we are able to offer patients an excellent tooth replacement using dental implants.

Bone Density

The procedure of placing a dental implant into the jawbone is well known and, although sophisticated, is a relatively straightforward procedure when done by a professionally trained and experienced practitioner such as our own Dr. Julian Perry, a leading local implant dentist.

In cases where the bone in the jaw has been degraded though, a straightforward implant placement may not be possible and a prior procedure may be needed to ensure the dental implant’s success. This procedure is known as a bone graft, or bone augmentation, and is used to build up the density of the bone in the jaw into which the implant can be placed. Without this, the implant may not be held sufficiently securely in place to last for any length of time.

At our Sutton Coldfield implant dentist, we are able to perform this bone graft procedure which is usually done using a small piece of bone from the patient’s body (usually the hip). There are alternatives available but, because this bone comes from the patient’s own body, the risk of rejection is reduced.

This small piece of bone is then grafted to the patient’s jawbone and is left for a period of time to heal and integrate with the natural bone. Once this process is complete, we are then able to place the new dental implant into this area, providing the patient with a strong replacement tooth. Of course we also need to be absolutely sure that any signs of gum disease have gone before we commence the implant process.

All on 4

Another possible option for replacing teeth lost through gum disease is the ‘all on 4’ procedure which uses specially designed dental implants placed into the jawbone at carefully calculated angles to provide a firm base for a full arch of teeth on a fixed bridge. This technique can be particularly useful in cases of low bone density.

Whether ‘all on 4’ is suitable or not in your own specific case will need to be determined by our dentists who will be able to advise you of the best option. Please note that whilst the technique is suitable for some, it is less useful in other cases.

If you have lost teeth through gum disease, or any other manner, and would like more information about dental implants or to arrange a consultation, please call Arthur House Dental Care on 0121 323 4492.